Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden is alive with an amazing variety of trees, shrubs, flowering plants and vegetables all displayed in a beautiful setting that encourages relaxation and exploration. Several new learning opportunities are available this summer for adults and children, starting with the Hands-on Horticulture series program “Making Sense of Lavender” on July 1. This series focuses on the history and care lavender (July 1 – 11) and the bearded iris (August 18-29), plus new programs that explore Sowing and Growing Favorite Perennials (July 14 – August 4) and Divide and Conquer Daylilies (August 4 – 15). The programs are on-going from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.

The King’s Garden experience is included in Fort Ticonderoga general admission. For additional information about the King’s Garden and other programs, visit the Fort Ticonderoga website at www.fort-ticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821. The King’s Garden is open through October 13 from 9:30 am – 5 pm daily.

One of America’s Oldest Cultivated Landscapes

A new garden tour entitled “Breaking Ground: A Tour of the Historic Gardens” is offered daily at 11:45 am and 2:45 pm. This must-do tour provides an informative and entertaining overview of the century’s horticulture history at Fort Ticonderoga from military garrison garden to the secluded Colonial Revival spectacle of color and light. Guests will explore one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in America and learn about the horticulture history of the Ticonderoga peninsula.

Just for kids!

Children’s Garden tours are offered daily beginning at 11:45 am. These 20 minute tours explore flowers, vegetables and herbs in themed displays with whimsical flair. Visit the Three Sisters Garden, edible petals patch, heritage plant area and more!

A 1776 Garden

The Garrison Garden in 2014 features vegetables that were grown by the American troops at Ticonderoga in 1776 including beats, radishes, onions, and greens. Meet soldier gardeners and dig into Fort Ticonderoga’s century’s old garden story to learn how crops grown in 1776 fed sick troops. A market located on the glacis of the Fort (as it was in 1776!) will feature King’s Garden produce for purchase. America’s Fort Café will also feature 1776 Garden produce as part of the garden-to-table menu.

Guided and self-guided tours of the gardens are available daily along with a scavenger hunt and plenty of fun and interesting displays in the formal garden, Three Sisters Garden, Children’s Garden and Garrison Garden.

New this year – Birthday Parties!

Make birthday memories to last a lifetime as your child and party guests explore the beautiful gardens while celebrating their big day. Led by a Garden Instructor, children ages 4-10 years old enjoy fun activities based on a selected theme including “Ladybug Bash,” “Budding Artist,” and “Garden Sampler.” Visit http://www.fortticonderoga.org/visit/groups/birthdayparties for details.

About the King’s Garden

The King’s Garden is one of North America’s oldest gardens dating to the French occupation of the Fort in the mid-18th century. Today it is the largest public garden in the Lake Champlain- Adirondack Region. Visitors to the Garden explores centuries of horticulture history.

The walled King’s Garden, a colonial revival garden, was originally designed in 1921 by leading landscape architect Marian Coffin. The formal elements – a reflecting pool, manicured lawn and hedges, and brick walls and walkways – are softened by a profusion of annuals and perennials, carefully arranged by color and form. Heirloom flowers and modern cultivars are used to recreate the historic planting scheme. Visitor favorites include the lavender border, towering hollyhocks, bearded irises, dinner plate dahlias and many types of phlox.

Outside of the nine-foot brick walls of the colonial revival King’s Garden, the Discovery Gardens include a children’s garden, an interpretive 18th century garrison garden, and Three Sisters Garden. The restored Lord and Burnham greenhouse, charming gazebo, sweeping lawns and shady picnic spots invite visitors to explore the beautiful landscape.

Fort Ticonderoga offers more than one hundred exciting and unique events and programs this season! Visit www.FortTiconderoga.org for a full list of ongoing programs or call 518-585-2821. Funding for the 2014 season is provided in part by Amtrak. Visit http://www.fortticonderoga.org/visit/directions for a special 2 for 1 Amtrak offer!

Related articles

• Fort Ticonderoga 2014 Season Begins May 10 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Celebrate Independence at Fort Ticonderoga (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Fort Ticonderoga’s King’s Garden Opens May 24 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Fort Ticonderoga Specialty Tours Offered this Summer (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)